Eat Clean, Stay Lean: 300 Real Foods and Recipes for Lifelong Health and Lasting Weight Loss

by Prevention Magazine, Wendy Bazilian

These days, a trip to the grocery store requires a little soul-searching and a lot of label reading: organic, sustainable, local, seasonal, low-carb, low-cal, gluten-free, sugar-free, GMO-free, vegan, vegetarian, raw, and Paleo. When did eating become so fussy? It’s enough to make you throw your hands in the air--and then right inside the fridge for some pie.

Eating healthy nowadays really just means eating clean, or choosing whole foods sourced from the earth with the least processing and fewest possible ingredients that sound like hair dye. Eating clean is not about counting calories or grams of carbs, or getting tricked by “health food” imposters, so you won’t find any of that here. Real food is the science-backed way to good health and a better body.

Yet eating clean day after day isn’t so easy. That’s why the editors at Prevention created Eat Clean, Stay Lean--your easy-to-use, visual guidebook to better health, delicious food, and a slimmer you. Learn how to make 50 smarter choices in the supermarket and 150 cleaner, fast meals at home, all of which can help you lose weight while you enjoy real food that tastes great--and it even includes real pie.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Health, Food, Self Help

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

Reviews

[AH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally. A common sense approach to weight loss and healthy living. This book was a pleasure to read. The photos are stunning and the recipes look easy enough for most cooks. I liked how the nutritional information was presented and that the book also discounted a lot of the latest diet fads. This is a nutrition plan that most people could follow without feeling deprived. While organic foods are encouraged, the book recommends regular foods as well so that you can tailor your eating according to your budget.

Recommended read.

*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. *

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Rodale, for a copy of Eat Clean Stay Lean. I can't think of a better time to focus on clean eating than the beginning of the new year.

This book is not an in depth book on nutrition, but it is a perfect guide for anyone wanting to eat cleaner. The first part of the book explains the benefits of clean eating and the importance of whole foods. Basically, minimally processed and preferably organic and locally grown are the key to eating for health. Nothing new there, but sometimes a reminder is helpful. This section is fairly brief.

The majority of the book consists of simple and delicious recipes with many wonderful color photos. A few recipes include twice-baked sweet potatoes with pecan-walnut crumble, orange-sage braised chicken thighs, and stuffed french toast with orange-coconut cream. I am certain that I'll be referring to this book often.

[Malika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to other reviewers stating what the best recipes in this book are so I can try some more for myself 😝

I don't see any reviews so I guess it's up to me. Here's what I made so far and what I think of it:

Page 52 fruit and walnut spinach salad with lemon salad vinaigrette. I like this salad. 4 stars. Fresh fruity summery. Dressing didn't work out perfectly but I think it was me who fudged it.

Page 61 ground beef Ragu over barley. I substituted barley with brown rice because of a personal preference. I didn't love this recipe. 2.5 stars. Nothing wrong with it, it just didn't Stand Out / wasn't bursting with flavor or anything else exceptional.

Page 101 black bean and mushroom burgers. As most of my experiences have been with homemade veggie burgers, it's very hard to get them to stick together! This recipe was no different. I acknowledge that it may have been due to my error. I'm not certain - the burgers themselves are very fresh, light and best of all it energizes me after!

What made me go from just checking this book out at the library to actually spending money to purchase it is the energizing recipes found in it! I suffer from low energy and lethargy for some unknown reason and when I eat vegetable heavy recipes, I feel better. That is why I have this cookbook.

Thanks for reading!

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Information

I read this book because I was interested in eating clean, and it didn’t disappoint me. Although I was familiar with good foods, it just reminded me that you can eat healthy by buying the right foods. The recipes in the book are very healthy and easy to make.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I like how it has pages showing some basics of which versions of foods to choose and a short explanation of why. Not clean, clean, cleanest. Simple basic advice.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent guide to clean eating foods - although not all the recipes are things I could get my family to eat. They vetoed acorn squash baked with black rice as "too healthy" and I sort of see their point, even the picture doesn't quite sell it! But overall, a good guide to get started on healthier eating.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Prevention magazine, and found this read to follow their informative, mostly evidence-based (but with alternative medicine influence) style. I liked the first two of the three parts that go over why one should consider this plan. However, I found much of the information to be repetitive- it seems to be a book that they are anticipating readers to skim (like their magazine).

As with many a diet book, this one falters on not offering enough diverse options for different diets, not laying some instructions out clearly enough, and trying to get across that “it’s not a diet it’s a lifestyle” when it really is (it’s even in the title!). For instance, are potatoes “clean”? What about cheeses - where does clean start for this packaged and processed food? It would have been improved with an easier to follow grocery list that outlined some of these questions. As well, for someone who wants vegetarian options, this book didn’t deliver as much as I wanted (saying “sub the protein for tofu” hardly counts).

Overall, I would recommend the first part of this book to others and tell them to use the later half for inspiration. Still a good read and I enjoyed having evidence-based citations sprinkled throughout. 3.5/5

[librarydiaries · Rating 3 out of 5]

My motive for reading this book was to find ways in which I could stop overeating and snacking constantly. So what I really appreciated about the book were:

- the section on mindful eating: there's a list of questions you can ask yourself to see how mindful you really are. e.g. do you eat when you're bored? do you eat more when you're celebrating something? or when you don't feel like focusing at work? Sadly, I was incredibly guilty for being unmindful, but they had solutions to improve all of that

- I learned to recognize when I am actually hungry vs. just wanting to eat because. This was an especially helpful tip for me since I always eat out of habit, and less because my body needs it

- Favourite tip: "The next time you think about wanting to have a certain food, ask yourself if you'd also be up for eating fruit or veggies, such an an apple or some celery sticks. If the answer is yes, you're genuinely hungry, and you should eat. If the answer is no, you probably aren't physically hungry, and you should hold off on eating. Instead, reach for a cup of hot tea, which can quell your urge to nibble on something."

[Ami Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I am a huge fan of clean eating, paleo, and organic eating already, not to mention I love cookbooks and I'm always looking for ideas.

The beginning of the book tells you what to look for in foods, what is 'clean' eating. If you knew nothing about nutrition, then you might find this helpful. I found much of it common sense and not necessary. Organic vs. Non, Grass Fed Beef vs Non. For someone new into the game, then yes, it is very helpful information.

As far as the recipes go, which in the end, isn't that the reason we buy a cookbook, they are wonderful.
Simple, easy to follow instructions, pictures and also things that people actually have in their cupboards and fridges.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone trying to live a more healthy lifestyle and shed off those extra pounds.

[Kelley Stoneking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful resource for people who want to incorporate fewer processed foods into their diet. I especially liked the recipe section which also compared "not clean," "clean," and "cleanest" foods and explained why the designation was given. "Not clean" could mean the food is totally bad for your blood sugar, heart, and digestion (like diet soda), or it provides less nutritional value than the other two choices (in the case of white rice--which is not completely bad--vs. brown or wild rices). The recipes seem doable, healthy, and tasty (I earmarked several). The pictures are beautiful. Directions are clear and easy to follow. I am strongly considering adding this book to my personal library.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic look at nutrition choices in an easy format. Also, delves into natural cleaning and skin care ideas. Some of the recipes look good. I like the idea of food swaps but many of these are unrealistic/or basic common sense ie. cookies for a banana, watermelon for jelly beans - these are not real swaps anyone knows eating fruit is better than candy, but when you are craving a cookie a banana is a good idea but doesn't feel like a swap. Other swap ideas are better such as exchanging a snickers bar for a square of dark chocolate - a more practical swap.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear a lot about eating clean & wasn't sure what it meant. Now I know. I had already been transitioning to better eating habits. This book rang true. I have been shopping & buying more organic and free range & that is the safest way to eat. This book also discusses the hazards of cosmetics, lotions, cleaning products, and other poisons we can unknowingly bring into our homes & into our bodies.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this via Goodreads first to read free. there are some nice recipes in here. I already knew quite a bit of what they were talking about, but I did like the idea of showing that something was bad, better, best.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not counting calories is one thing, but I would have preferred to still know the nutritional information for the recipes included in the book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm learning so much from this book . Helpful tips , delicious recipes , and positive encouragement . Best cookbook I've picked up in years .

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent explanations of clean eating. The photo examples used helped me totally understand the differences. Will certainly recommend this book to everyone with questions about clean eating.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book more for the reasoning behind clean eating than I did the recipes. Each recipe chapter gives a comparison of 'not clean, clean and cleanest' which is a great reference.

[JMcShea]

Magazine-good recipes

[Mohd Azly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and informative book. Recommend to those who seek healthy diet information.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book filled with tips and recipes for following the clean diet.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough

East to understand and the photos were an appreciated extra touch. I love how EVERY food category was covered, down to seasonings. Informational but not overwhelming with scientific jargon. Learned quite a bit.